In the northeast corner of Clayton, and spilling over into bordering Henry and DeKalb counties, are long-settled Rex and Ellenwood, which until recently were sparsely populated. The character of the area for years was ranch-styled homes on large tracts.

About the only thing that drew attention to the area was Rex Mill, a still functional water-powered mill, and the Rex Rocker, a famous cane-bottomed chair manufactured in the village. Neither community is incorporated.

Residential development filled the rest of Clayton, leaving Rex and Ellenwood prime locations for new home building. The selling points are easy access to I-675 that connects I-285 to I-75 in Henry County. Also, Hartsfield International Airport is only 20-25 minutes away and Southlake Mall is nearby.

For instance, GT Architecture Contractors Inc. is building on 437 lots in three subdivisions in the area: Katherine Village, Amerson Estates and Waggoner Place.

The homes start from $130,000, said Todd Welch, marketing manager for GT.

"You get a lot of value for the price in that area," Welch said. "Land prices on the Northside [of Atlanta] are just so high."

Lake Spivey

Homes here date back more than 50 years, when a community located around Lake Jodeco Road was first developed. A 500-acre second lake was created and 1,000 acres of land added to the development, thus forming Lake Spivey.

Lake Spivey, near Jonesboro, was Clayton's first golfing community, with 167 lots around a 27-hole course. Amenities include Lake Spivey Country Club and Golf Club, with its driving range, swimming pool and tennis courts. Boating and fishing are also popular.

Some of the most expensive residential property in metro Atlanta is located in Lake Spivey.

"Some of them top well over $1 million," said State Sen. Terrell Starr (D-Jonesboro). Starr moved into the neighborhood three years ago.

Lake Spivey is almost completely developed, but there is still room for some new homes.

"You would not believe the homes down here," Starr said.

The major access to Lake Spivey is Ga. 138 near I-75, and the community nestled around the lake and borders Henry County.